The Box Under The Bed

Outside the weather was very beautiful. Small little clouds with light blue colour had gathered in the sky, breezy air made trees and plants dance to their tune and birds were flying across the sky wholeheartedly. In short, it was the perfect weather for everyone to enjoy outside. 

But Nandini was more delighted being inside doing her favourite thing, drawing cartoons. After a long time today, something new had come to her mind and she was completely immersed in bringing that out on paper. She was so immersed that she didn't even hear that outside Nandu was calling her on the top of his voice. He tried again. 

" Mami, Mami what are you doing? Come, dida is calling you." This time thankfully she heard him and came out.

" What happened Nandu, why are you shouting?", asked Nandini a little surprised. 

" Because you didn't hear me. I had been calling you for the last 10 minutes. Dida has asked for you", replied Nandu. " By the way what were you doing?"

" I will tell you later", replied Nandini and hurried towards her mother-in-law's room. 

Nandu looked at his mami running and smiled to himself thinking how weird these grownups are. 

Nandini reached her mother-in-law's room half puffing and half precipitating. 

" Nandini, what's wrong with you, why are you out of breath", asked her mother-in-law worriedly. 

" Bhabhi, is everything fine?", asked Sudha, Nandini's sister-in-law keeping her hand on Nandini's shoulder. 

" Yes, I am fine", replied Nandini while trying to take some long breath. " Nandu said that you called me."

" Yes, I did. Actually, I was thinking what special thing should we make for Devashis today", said her mother-in-law ruminatingly. 

Nandini couldn't understand what was so special about today. 

" Seems like bhabhi has forgotten that today is an important day for dada. Today he will finally know whether he has got selected for readership or not ", said Sudha with a smile on her face.

This reminded Nandini of some readership thing Devashis was talking about last night and how nervous he was today in the morning. 

" Yes Nandini we should make something special for him, after all, he has worked so hard for this and I am hundred per cent sure that he will be selected", said her mother-in-law confidently. 

" Whatever you say ma", said Nandini. 

" Ok then, make his favourite kheer for him and add lots of milk to it with all the dry fruits especially kesar, he loves it ", said her mother-in-law.

" Ok ma", said Nandini quietly. 

" Should I also help you bhabhi?", asked Sudha. 

" No you don't need to bother, I will make it myself ", replied Nandini and went to the kitchen. 

It has been four and half months since Nandini's marriage. One day her parents told her that some boy, who is a professor at Jhadavpur University was coming to see her and then in just 4-5 days they got married. Nandini was 20 years old which according to society is the perfect age for marriage. But what is perfect for society is not perfect for Nandini. She desired to become a cartoonist which she knew was a little unconventional, especially for girls. From her school days to her college life she spent most of her time making cartoons which her mother thought was very silly but never stopped her. Nandini loved imagining varied situations and sometimes she did it for hours without having any track of time, she just used to get lost in her world of thoughts. Then she drew them on her white long papers with her sharp pencil very diligently and passionately but sometimes she just enjoyed making funny caricatures of the people around her, like the ones of Devashis. After her marriage, she wanted to tell Devashis about her desire to become a cartoonist but couldn't. Nandini had got well acclimatized in her new life. Her days began with morning prayers with her mother-in-law, then making special tea for her father-in-law, getting all the stuff ready for Devashis, making lunch for everybody, teaching Nandu in evenings who didn't like to study from his mother because she used to scold him, getting dinner ready for everybody and then between all this if she ever managed to have some free time, she utilised that in making cartoons. Nandini was not a very quiet girl in fact she was a chatterbox, she loved talking to people, sometimes her father joked that she talks even when asleep. But since her marriage she has become quieter, perhaps because of the responsibilities or her shyness in talking to these new people, she herself didn't know. 

The car stopped in the garden and Nandini realised that Devashis had come. She was excited to know about the readership, she remembered how he spent sleepless nights preparing for this. Kheer had got ready. 

" Devashis, what happened, what about your readership? ", asked Nandini's mother-in-law to her son.

" Yes dada, tell us quickly. Ma can't wait anymore ", said Sudha. 

" Where's Baba? " asked Devashis. He looked serious. Nandini was looking at him impatiently. Her heartbeats were fast. 

" Baba has gone to Mr Mukherjee, he needed some legal advice from him. He will come late. You tell us about your readership." She emphasised. Devashis looked at everyone. 

" Well, I am selected ". He broke into laughter. Nandu ran to his Mama and he lifted him in a tight hug. 

Nandini also smiled and thanked God. After a long time, she was seeing Devashis laughing like that, she was very happy for him. 

" Nandini, go bring kheer for Devashis. I knew he would get selected ", gushed her mother-in-law. 

" You knew it ma, how ? ", asked Devashis happily. 

" Because I am your ma."

Nandini brought kheer from the kitchen and gave the bowl to Devashis. He tasted it and smiled at her.

After many weeks of hard work, Devashis was today in a mood to relax, basically, he wanted to have some fun. And for that, he had made a plan with his friends. The plan was to go to Pat Williamson Ground and catch up on Polo followed by a nice lunch in his favourite restaurant. But unfortunately, the plan has got ruined due to unanticipated rain. He then tried to sleep but couldn't. He didn't have anything to do and was bored but then Nandu came in his mind and he began calling him. 

" What happened, why are you calling Nandu ?", asked Nandini who was doing something in the kitchen. "He is not at home."

" Why, where has he gone? ", asked Devashis disappointedly.

" He has gone with ma and Sudha to Mrs Ghosh's house. They have a small pooja there for her new grandson", replied Nandini. 

" Dang it! I was getting bored so I thought of playing with him", said frustrated Devashis. 

" Why don't you sleep then?", suggested Nandini. 

" I tried it but couldn't. You know all those nights when I had to be awake because of my work, I was dying for some good sleep but today when I have time I am unable to ", complained Devashis. 

" Then read some book", suggested Nandini brightly who knew Devashis was a voracious reader which sometimes really irritated her too, she wondered how could he read so much. But today he refused to read anything, much to the amazement of Nandini. 

" No, I am in a mood to relax. Today I don't want to read anything", said Devashis.

Nandini smiled at the unusual behaviour of her husband. 

" What happened, why are you smiling?", asked Devashis. 

" Oh! Nothing", said Nandini quickly, hiding her smile. After some time Devashis asked casually.

" Don't you get bored, doing nothing at home?"

But this casually asked question didn't go down well with Nandini. 

" Nothing! Nothing", exclaimed Nandini. 

Devashis got a little confused about this reaction of her, he tried to revisit his question which spurred this unexpected reaction.

" What do you mean by nothing? I don't sit idle at home. I have lots of work to do in fact more than you have to. I don't have any time to get bored", said Nandini with self-esteem. 

" Oh no! I am sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. I just meant to ask what do you do when you have nothing to do, like when you are free so that you don't get bored", said Devashis nervously. 

Nandini was not completely convinced if that is what Devashis really meant but she decided to let go. Devashis repeated his question again but this time even more politely. 

" So what do you prefer to do when you are free Nandini?", asked Devashis. 

" I like to make ca- ", stopped Nandini immediately, realising what was she going to say. 

" What?", asked Devashis. 

" I like to play snake and ladder", lied Nandini. 

" What!", exclaimed Devashis and began laughing. " You like to play snake and ladder, like really? I don't believe this. "

" Why, what's wrong with snake and ladder? It is a very interesting game", defended Nandini. 

" Yes, it is an interesting game but for kids like Nandu, not for grown-ups. I expected you to like something nice, something mature", laughed Devashis again. 

Nandini didn't appreciate Devashis's sense of humour. She decided to challenge him.

" So you think snake and ladder are kiddish, it's not for mature people like you", taunted Nandini. " Then I challenge you to defeat me in this game and prove that it is a childish game."

"Now you have even started to act like a kid", joked Devashis again. Seeing Nandini's expression, he stooped laughing and said." I am sorry but I will not play this game. "

" Why? Are you scared that you will lose," said Nandini sharply. 

" I am scared? You don't know me Nandini, I never lose. I am invincible", said Devashis confidently which he also realised was a little over the top. 

" Oh really. Then let's play and find out how true is your claim ", said Nandini. 

" Fine, if you are so determined to lose then what can I do but remember from today you will not like snake and ladder anymore", smirked Devashis. 

Nandini brought a snake and ladder from Nandu's room. She set up the game on the bed. On one side sat Nandini with the red colour game piece and another side Devashis with blue colour. Before starting the game they looked at each other once and then with utter professionalism like international players shook hand and wished each other all the best. 

Nandini started first, she got a four. Next was Devashis, he got one. Nandini smiled. 

" It's just the beginning", defended Devashis. 

" All right", said Nandini cooly. 

Next turn Nandini got four again. Devashis got 2. They moved their game pieces forward. It was six for Nandini this time who happily threw the dice again and got two. She was on sixteen and Devashis on 3 which was very humiliating for a venerable professor, he thought. He got two again. 

" Did you jinx the dice?", asked Devashsis impatiently. 

" A bad carpenter always blames his tools ", smirked Nandini. Later she added innocently " Why would I? "

The game progressed further. Nandini now was on 47 and Devashis on 19.

" So you still think it's a kid's game", poked Nandini at Devashis.

" It will be better if you focus on the game", replied Devashis sharply. 

Nandini threw her dice excitedly hoping for a six this time.

" Oh no! ", exclaimed Nandini. She had got a six, and as a result threw her dice again which again was six but this time of no use, because this time there was a snake waiting for her there. And she landed on 27.

" Now it is fun", said Devashis satisfactorily. 

" I am still ahead of you", retorted Nandini. 

" But will no longer be", proclaimed Devashis. 

The game has now got close, the difference between Nandini and Devashis was now only 6, Nandini was now on 90 and Devashsis on 84. It was Devashis's turn but he was nervous this time because there was a snake on 86 he feared if he got 2 then he would directly land on 21. Nandini also was stressed, she didn't want Devashis to get 6 because then he would also reach 90 and the game would become really difficult. Devashis after wishing for a good result in his heart somehow threw the dice. 

" Yes! I got six ", said Devashis while taking a sigh of relief. He again got the chance to throw the dice. He then immediately looked at Nandini to check how was she feeling and was really delighted to see her restless face. 

" What happened? Throw your dice", said Nandini seriously. Devashis smiled. 

He threw the dice and got 4.

" It's your turn now", said Devashis. 

" I know", replied Nandini without looking at him. 

She threw the dice and got 2. Nandini very half-heartedly moved her game piece to 92. It was getting difficult for her, she couldn't imagine losing to Devashis. 

" Nandini, are you all right.? You have got quiet", said Devashis. " Are you scared that you will lose the game? If you want me to stop then fine I will but just accept that you lost", said Devashsis confidently. 

" You don't worry about me, you just throw the dice ", said Nandini irritatingly. 

" All right, here I go", said Devashis. He really hoped to finish the game in this stroke but had to satisfy himself with two only. It was Nandini's turn again, she threw the dice and got 3. She was just behind Devashis. This made Devashis also serious. He threw his dice quietly and got one. Nandini threw her dice and she also this time got one. Now Devashis was on 97 and Nandini on 96. The game has become serious. Devashis needed 3 to win the game. He threw the dice and again got one. This brought a smile to Nandini's face and some hope. 

" Dang it", said Devashis with frustration. He knew if Nandini got 4 then she would win the game. He instantly shrugged the thought off and with a positive attitude hoped for something good. Nandini also was very jittery, she thought this was her last chance to win the game and therefore after recalling her God, threw her dice quickly. It was 4 this time and Nandini was the winner. 

" Yes! Yes!" She began shouting and jumping around the room with excitement. She felt as if she has won the Olympics as if she brought glory to the whole country, to her whole family and now for that, she will be honoured. Devashis kept looking at her, he was upset with his defeat but had never seen Nandini jumping like that. He smiled at her. 

" Congratulations, you won the game", said Devashis to Nandini. Nandini after realising what was she doing immediately stopped and became a little uncomfortable.

" Congratulations", repeated Devashis again. 

" Thanks", said Nandini uncomfortably. 

" Well, I must accept that it is an interesting game and that I really had fun playing it", said Devashis happily. 

" Really! I told you that it is an interesting game" , said Nandini. "This game really requires lots of patience, strength and hope and then only you can win it." She sounded like some coach who was giving a speech to a batch of newcomers who really wanted to do something big in this game and make their country proud. 

"I agree with you", said Devashis. 

Nandini now happy with her victory and Devashis 's realisation of his mistake decided to celebrate the moment with a nice cup of tea to which Devashis also readily agreed. 

Devashis was sitting on the bed and earnestly waiting for the tea. Nandini was in the kitchen making tea. Suddenly while swinging his legs he realized he hit something hard. He stopped and wondered what was under the bed. There was a small white box, he took it out. Devashis wondered what was the box doing there and what was inside it. He opened it. It contained lots of white papers piled one above the other. Devashis saw one had a drawing of big castles surrounded by some weak, haggard people begging around in shaggy clothes, one had an open park in which kids were playing happily with their grandparents, one had a busy road and a small puppy trying to cross it, one had a picture of 3 women fearlessly sauntering at night, one had a big beautiful river in which people were performing ablutions and were throwing garlands, incense sticks, etc but there was one picture which caught the special attention of Devashis. It was a picture of a man who looked very weird and funny with big moustaches, bushy eyebrows and random hair. He then noticed there were many pictures like that at the bottom of the box. Devashis found the man familiar, finally, he recognized it was his picture but he doesn't look weird like this man, who made this, thought Devashis irritatingly. 

The tea had got ready and Nandini brought some biscuits too. 

" What are you doing on the floor?", asked Nandini to Devashis.

"What is all this Nandini? Who made these pictures?", asked Devashis showing some white papers to her which she very well recognised. She remembered yesterday when Nandu came to call her, she hushed all the papers inside the box and pushed it under the bed, thinking that later on, she will lock it in her almirah, which Devashis never touched. But in all her work she forgot the box and now Devashis found it, why, she thought. 

" Hello! Where did you get lost? I am asking you something", said Devashis. 

Nandini didn't know what to answer. She wondered should she lie about the box or tell Devashis the truth. But what if he gets angry. By now Devashis has started to get impatient. 

" Nandini, what's wrong with you? I am repeatedly asking you something and you are just standing still. Is this your box?", asked Devashis directly to Nandini? 

For Nandini, this box was her most prized possession, the most important thing. Whenever she felt lonely, sad or missed her parents, she always took refuge in this box. In the world of her cartoons which she couldn't live in reality, she always lost herself for hours. Sometimes the things that Nandini couldn't share with anyone in this new house, drew them on these papers. She couldn't fulfil her dream of becoming a cartoonist in reality, but now she can't get separated from this box, she thought sadly. 

" Nandini, what has happened to you. Are you alright?", asked Devashis concernedly ." Why are you not answering me?"

" Nothing, I am fine", replied Nandini. 

Devashis also expected her to answer his question but she didn't. He, therefore, asked again. 

"Is this box yours?", repeated Devashis?

Nandini knew she couldn't evade this question anymore. 

" Yes, it is my box", replied Nandini hesitantly. 

" It is your box? Then why didn't you say it earlier?", said Devashis. For some seconds he kept looking at those papers and then asked seriously. 

"Did you make all of these?" He was looking straight at Nandini. 

" Yes", said Nandini with her eyes on the floor. Devashis without saying anything or asking any more questions just went from there.

3 hours had passed and Nandini was just sitting on the bed of her room where some hours ago she and Devashis were playing snake and ladder enthusiastically. The box was left wide open and the papers were all spread on the floor. Nandini closed her eyes. She was missing her parents. She had never felt so lonely. Where has Devashis gone? When will he come back? Will he tell everybody about this? Will he throw all the pictures that she drew with so much labour and love? Will he now call her parents to take her away with them? Will he never talk to her? A tear trickled down her cheeks and fell on one of the weird, funny pictures on the floor. 

" Nandini, Nandini ". Came some voice from the hall. Nandini recognised it was Devashis. She instantly got up from the bed and was about to go out but then she stopped. She didn't know how would she face him, what will he say to her. 

" Nandini, come out ", came the voice again. The voice sounded serious but Nandini didn't have any other option than to just go out. She recalled her God and went out. She came slowly close to the hall, she could now see Devashis was standing there and there was some else too with him wearing spectacles, she noticed. 

" Nandini, come quickly. Why are you walking like a tortoise? ", asked Devashis impatiently. 

She finally reached the hall. She was very nervous. 

" This is Mr Subodh Roy, he runs a daily newspaper in Calcutta", introduced Devashis the bespectacled man to Nandini. The bespectacled man smiled and greeted Nandini. 

Nandini couldn't understand why Devashis brought him home though she welcomed him. 

" Come, please sit. What would you like to have?", asked Nandini. 

" Oh! Nothing, thank you very much. Devashis I am in a hurry, it would be better if you show me the thing quickly", said the bespectacled man. 

Nandini tried to guess what was he talking about. 

" Yes, right. Nandini goes and brings your box ", said Devashis. 

" The box?", asked Nandini again as she thought she heard it wrong. 

" Yes, Nandini the box. Go bring it immediately", said Devashis again. 

She couldn't understand anything. For a moment she thought is he going to give all her cartoons to him to throw them. She didn't want to throw them. Hesitantly Nandini brought the box from her room and gave it to Devashis. Devashis opened the box and started showing the bespectacled man the papers. The bespectacled man was looking at those papers very seriously and occasionally smiled too. 

" So what do you think, Subodh?", asked Devashis excitedly. 

" Well, it's a yes from me. Within 2-3 days, she can join us", said the bespectacled man. Devashis was very happy, he thanked him and the bespectacled man left after greeting Nandini. Nandini was surprised that he didn't take her box with him but was thankful for that. 

" Congratulations", said Devashis happily to Nandini. 

Nandini was now even more surprised. 

" Congratulations for what?", asked Nandini meekly. 

" Congratulations on getting the job of a cartoonist at Calcutta daily", said Devashis excitedly. 

" What?", asked a completely shocked Nandini. She couldn't believe what he said. 

"I knew you wouldn't believe it. But this is true. He absolutely loved your cartoons and said that you are so good at this", said Devashis. 

" Really? Did he say that?", asked Nandini.

"Yes, he did", replied Devashis ecstatically. 

Nandini became so happy, all this felt so surreal but then something came to her mind. 

" But you were angry at me, right? You didn't like them", said Nandini.

" Yes, I was angry. I didn't understand why did you make those pictures. I was also angry that why did you not tell me about it earlier. But then I realized you must have tried but couldn't, even I never asked you about something that you liked to do, something you ever wanted to become. I just understood the way I love teaching, you love making cartoons. So I decided to go to my friend Subodh who was looking for a really good cartoonist for his daily newspaper and I thought who better than you", said Devashis. 

These words felt even sweeter than her favourite sweet mishti doi to Nandini. Her face had happiness on it but some confusion too. 

" But Baba? He won't like it", said Nandini disappointedly. 

" I know it will be difficult to convince him but you don't worry about that, that's my job now. I just don't want you to waste your talent for anything ", said Devashis and smiled at her. 

Nandini couldn't thank Devashis enough. All this was dreamlike, she couldn't believe any of this. She was now a cartoonist, a professional cartoonist. Now the whole world will see her cartoons, her friends, her cousins, her neighbours, her whole village, everyone, she thought. She found all this very hard to process and Devashis understood that. To make Nandini feel relaxed, he asked. 

" Do you have any more scary pictures of mine or just these?"

" Don't worry I will make more", quipped Nandini. And they both broke into laughter.